We stepped into the parking garage. Ramos clicked his key fob to open the trunk of his car. My helmet sat inside, and he handed it over. A few minutes later, I swung my leg over the seat of his bike and settled in behind him.
I held onto him tightly, and we roared out of the parking garage. Butterflies danced in my stomach, and my breath caught in my lungs. With a big grin on my face, and the wind in my hair, I settled in to enjoy the ride.
With everything I’d gone through lately, being on the back of a motorcycle behind Ramos was good for my soul, and, after feeling so scared and helpless, I’d never again take it for granted.
Sure, bad things happened, even though I’d tried to make sure they didn’t. All the planning in the world wouldn’t change that. There were just too many things I couldn’t control or predict… even with the advantage of my mind reading skills.
But there was also a lot of good that happened too, and I wouldn’t trade those times for anything.
So… maybe it was time to admit that my life was never going to go the way I planned it, but maybe that was just the way it was supposed to be.
Thank you for reading High Stakes Crime: A Shelby Nichols Adventure. I am currently hard at work on Shelby’s next adventure and promise to do my best for another thrilling ride!
If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. It’s a great way to thank an author and keep her writing! High Stakes Crime is also available in Paperback and Audible!
SPIN-OFF SERIES
I'm so excited to announce a new book in a new series! This book is a spin-off from my Shelby Nichols Series about Ella St. John, a woman with a special gift. She is a trauma nurse who met Shelby when Shelby was in New York during her vacation. Ella stood out to Shelby because she was the only person Shelby couldn't hear with her special mind-reading ability. She also appears in HIGH STAKES CRIME! Now you can find out how Ella and Creed came to be in Las Vegas in my spin-off series, ANGEL FALLS: Sand and Shadows, Book 1. I'm so excited to share it with you!!
READ ON FOR A SAMPLE
ANGEL FALLS
Sand and Shadows Book 1
By Colleen Helme
CHAPTER 1
I leaned against a large boulder and glanced up at the endless blue sky, framed by red sandstone rocks and white fluffy clouds. It was a perfect day for a hike.
Even though I wouldn’t have chosen this place, getting sent away could have been worse. Instead of this desert wilderness, I could have ended up somewhere cold, where the sun didn’t shine for months. At least here, the sand and shadows, coupled with the vibrant hues of red and blue, brought me more peace than I had a right to.
The heat could be brutal though, but it wasn’t enough to stop me from venturing out at the end of my workday. I’d discovered this little gulch a couple of days ago, but this was the first time I’d ventured further than I could drive my Jeep.
From the map I’d learned that this narrow slot canyon trail took an impressive climb through huge boulders and red sand, winding a short mile up the mountain to end at a spectacular waterfall. I thought it ironic that the slot canyon was called Devil’s Gulch, and someone with a sense of humor had named the waterfall Angel Falls.
It reminded me of my predicament and the reason I’d been sent here in the first place. Upper management hadn’t liked my attitude when it came to doing my job. Maybe they had a point, but I’d balked when it came to helping a killer. I’d let him die instead of doing all I could to save him. The Hippocratic Oath just didn’t seem to apply after all the people he’d killed.
But… apparently, that wasn’t my call to make. For my disobedience, I’d been sent to the small town of Sandy Creek, in the middle of nowhere, to “meditate” about the sacredness of life and my duty. Go figure.
I came to a narrow gap of loose sandstone between two sheer rock walls. Deep within the gap, I felt dwarfed by the red stone walls. Glancing up, I saw only a crack of blue sky directly above my head.
I continued the climb, each boulder a steep vertical step, and slowed to catch my breath. Climbing onto the last remaining boulder, I left the rock walls behind and stepped into a beautiful, open grotto. My heart swelled at the magnificence of this cozy space nestled at the top of the gulch.
A waterfall cascaded several feet from a ledge high above me, catching the light just right so that a rainbow reflected through the mist. The remaining water fell into a small pool surrounded by bright green vegetation which grew from the sandy earth.
The contrast between the red rock, falling water, and blue pool, surrounded by lush, green plants, filled me with wonder. This spot was like a piece of heaven, and the tension drained out of me.
I stepped to the edge of the pool and noticed that the shallow water trickled into the rocks and disappeared into the soil. I shivered slightly, the sweat on my back turning cold from the lower temperature inside the grotto.
Closing my eyes, I breathed in the fresh scent of earth and water. My heart expanded with pleasure to be in this amazing place, away from my troubles. I found a large rock where I could sit and enjoy the solitude and hear the trickling sound of falling water.
Several minutes later, another chill ran down my spine, and I became aware of a subtle change in the temperature. Shivering, I glanced above the waterfall’s edge to the sky. Dark storm clouds were gathering, blocking the sun’s heat. Where had they come from?
Sudden dread washed over me, punctuated by the low rumble of distant thunder. I glanced at my surroundings with new eyes, realizing that a downpour would turn that small waterfall into a raging beast.
This serene grotto was about to become a death trap. Seth had warned me about flash floods in these canyons, but, without a cloud in the sky, I hadn’t even thought about it happening today. I had to get out of here—now.
I rushed past the pool to the trail and traversed the small gap between the steep rock walls. It took longer than I liked, but the boulders were too big to go any faster. At least it was all downhill, which should give me enough time to outrun the storm. At the end of the gap, the trail widened, giving me a better view of the sky.
I glanced up and my stomach tightened. Dark clouds surrounded the highest peaks of the mountain, and I knew I would soon be in the path of a rushing river.
With my heart pounding, I traversed the steep, sandy trail as quickly as I could, knowing I couldn’t afford to twist an ankle. The wash dipped and descended down a narrow gully of large boulders and rocks. Jutting stones and loose gravel caused me to slip and skid, but I managed to stay upright.
The sky darkened, and rain clouds completely covered the sun’s light. A flash of lightning and the crack of thunder roared overhead. A moment later, thick drops of rain pelted me. With panic tightening my chest, I picked up the pace.
END OF SAMPLE
ANGEL FALLS: Sand and Shadows
is now available in kindle, paperback, hardback, and audible. Get your copy today!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
USA TODAY AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSLLING AUTHOR
Colleen Helme is the author of the bestselling Shelby Nichols Adventure Series, a wildly entertaining and highly humorous series about Shelby Nichols, a woman with the ability to read minds.
She is also the author of the Sand and Shadow Series, a spin-off from the Shelby Nichols Series featuring Ella St. John, a woman with a special ‘healing’ touch. Between writing about these two friends, Colleen has her hands full, but is enjoying every minute of it, especially when they appear in books together.
When not writing, Colleen spends most of her time thinking about new ways to get her characters in and out of trouble. She loves to connect with readers and
admits that fans of her books keep her writing.
Connect with Colleen
Colleen Helme Author | Shelby Nichols Consulting | Facebook | Twitter | BookBub | Amazon Author Page | You Tube | Amazon Series Page
High Stakes Crime: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel (Shelby Nichols Adventure Book 15) Page 28
